Cheating exists at all levels in life. Athletes cheat in sports. Students cheat on tests. Businesses cheat their clients. Life is full of cheaters. The thing that gets me is how easy it is for a cheater to lie while cheating, such as an unfaithful married man or woman. We see it real life and in the movies. Cheating is accepted.
Too often the idea of “the ultimate position” takes over a person’s character and down hill they tumble and fall and the outcome is all too obvious. They spend the rest of their lives justifying the wrong behavior. In reality, the fact is this: They have no one to blame but themselves. History is full of outstanding people who cheat their way to the top. Sometimes it’s just a little false statement about someone or shifting the conversation to make a colleague look bad. Whatever it is the cheater is very flexible and good at it.
Cheaters have convinced themselves that their behavior is the right way to do things. After all, they know (or think they know) what the outcome will be. Regardless of the lack of knowledge or even experience at what they have stolen, their personal conversations keep them in a starring role. Clowns no more. Servants to others long sense past. Now, cheating becomes a way of life with all kinds of back door strategies to win out.
I’ve always believed that cheating destroys integrity. Few men (and women) would disagree. It takes effort to think right. But, if a person is willing to cheat at work (regardless of the pain it causes others), then, that person is “the biggest loser.” Having failed to pay the price of ethically acquiring status and/or position, here’s a question for you: What is the real reward? What is this person’s future really going to be? To find out all you have to do is to look around you. Answers are everywhere.
The difference that makes the difference is integrity. Without it, at some point in every person’s life, there comes a time of supreme clarity. “My God, what did I do?” Then, the reality of their cheating sets in. Then, no longer fascinated by what was stolen, life becomes filled with shame and discontent.
Over the years you have no doubt seen what I’m talking about. Look at the differences between those who cheat and those who do not. The non-cheater is a different man (or woman). Think of this as a blessing. To consciously model non-cheating ways of thinking is a critical and necessary undertaking at any point in a person’s life.
My challenge to you is to start thinking like a non-cheater. Believe that you can earn your way through life the right way. Do not pretend that it is okay to steal from others. If you are a young person, understand that you can take control of your own state of mind and think straight about issues of life. Do not be afraid to stand tall on your own two feet. Yes, show some backbone. Train yourself to avoid the bad people on planet Earth.
Your success begins with the power to think right. Filter out the crooked thinkers. Don’t allow yourself to be influenced by them. Don’t let the idea of power hypnotize you into thinking it ever okay to cheat. If you take control of your thinking, you can always find a way to do the right thing. Believe in yourself. Thinking right must be at the core of who you are. In fact, it is the foundation of your ultimate success.
